1885 – The City of Ocala was incorporated on this date. Located in Marion County in north central Florida, present-day Ocala was first inhabited by the Ocale Indians as early as the 16^th century when Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto recorded the settlement in 1539. In the 19^th century the U.S. government erected Fort King as an important base during the Second Seminole War in present-day Ocala. An agricultural community formed around the former site of Fort King, and in 1869, the town of Ocala was established. By the mid-20^th century Ocala gained national attention as being a “horse capital of the world,” with many Marion county Thoroughbred horses winning international competitions. Ocala is the county seat and largest city in Marion County with over 335,000 residents within its greater metropolitan area.